Partial task execution in a dispersed storage network

ABSTRACT

A processing system in a dispersed storage and a task network DSTN determines whether or not to execute a partial task. When determined to execute the partial task, the processing system operates by determining execution steps and a schedule; identifying a portion of the contiguous data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps; retrieving the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive; executing the one or more steps of the execution steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the contiguous data to produce a partial result; dispersed storage error encoding the partial result to produce a plurality of sets of slices in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the partial task; and facilitating storing a plurality of sets of slices in the DSTN.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15/445,152, entitled “PARTIAL TASK EXECUTION IN A DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK”, filed Feb. 28, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/865,641, entitled “DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK SECURE HIERARCHICAL FILE DIRECTORY”, filed Apr. 18, 2013, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/707,490, entitled “RETRIEVING DATA FROM A DISTRIBUTED STORAGE NETWORK”, filed Dec. 6, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,304,857 on Apr. 5, 2016, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/569,387, entitled “DISTRIBUTED STORAGE AND TASK PROCESSING”, filed Dec. 12, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer networks and more particularly to dispersing error encoded data.

Description of Related Art

Computing devices are known to communicate data, process data, and/or store data. Such computing devices range from wireless smart phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers (PC), work stations, and video game devices, to data centers that support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory system, user input/output interfaces, peripheral device interfaces, and an interconnecting bus structure.

As is further known, a computer may effectively extend its CPU by using “cloud computing” to perform one or more computing functions (e.g., a service, an application, an algorithm, an arithmetic logic function, etc.) on behalf of the computer. Further, for large services, applications, and/or functions, cloud computing may be performed by multiple cloud computing resources in a distributed manner to improve the response time for completion of the service, application, and/or function. For example, Hadoop is an open source software framework that supports distributed applications enabling application execution by thousands of computers.

In addition to cloud computing, a computer may use “cloud storage” as part of its memory system. As is known, cloud storage enables a user, via its computer, to store files, applications, etc. on an Internet storage system. The Internet storage system may include a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system and/or a dispersed storage system that uses an error correction scheme to encode data for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a specific example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a slice name of an encoded data slice (EDS) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error decoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of a distributed storage and task processing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a logic diagram of an example of a method for outbound DST processing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a dispersed storage and task execution unit in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of an example of a method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed, or distributed, storage network (DSN) 10 that includes a plurality of computing devices 12-16, a managing unit 18, an integrity processing unit 20, and a DSN memory 22. The components of the DSN 10 are coupled to a network 24, which may include one or more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or more non-public intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of storage units 36 that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.), at a common site, or a combination thereof. For example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, each storage unit is located at a different site. As another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, all eight storage units are located at the same site. As yet another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, a first pair of storage units are at a first common site, a second pair of storage units are at a second common site, a third pair of storage units are at a third common site, and a fourth pair of storage units are at a fourth common site. Note that a DSN memory 22 may include more or less than eight storage units 36. Further note that each storage unit 36 includes a computing core (as shown in FIG. 2, or components thereof) and a plurality of memory devices for storing dispersed error encoded data.

In various embodiments, each of the storage units operates as a distributed storage and task (DST) execution unit, and is operable to store dispersed error encoded data and/or to execute, in a distributed manner, one or more tasks on data. The tasks may be a simple function (e.g., a mathematical function, a logic function, an identify function, a find function, a search engine function, a replace function, etc.), a complex function (e.g., compression, human and/or computer language translation, text-to-voice conversion, voice-to-text conversion, etc.), multiple simple and/or complex functions, one or more algorithms, one or more applications, etc. Hereafter, a storage unit may be interchangeably referred to as a DST execution unit and a set of storage units may be interchangeably referred to as a set of DST execution units.

Each of the computing devices 12-16, the managing unit 18, and the integrity processing unit 20 include a computing core 26, which includes network interfaces 30-33. Computing devices 12-16 may each be a portable computing device and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device may be a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video game controller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computing core. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), a computer server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment. Note that each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 may be separate computing devices, may be a common computing device, and/or may be integrated into one or more of the computing devices 12-16 and/or into one or more of the storage units 36.

Each interface 30, 32, and 33 includes software and hardware to support one or more communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly. For example, interface 30 supports a communication link (e.g., wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between computing devices 14 and 16. As another example, interface 32 supports communication links (e.g., a wired connection, a wireless connection, a LAN connection, and/or any other type of connection to/from the network 24) between computing devices 12 & 16 and the DSN memory 22. As yet another example, interface 33 supports a communication link for each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 to the network 24.

Computing devices 12 and 16 include a dispersed storage (DS) client module 34, which enables the computing device to dispersed storage error encode and decode data as subsequently described with reference to one or more of FIGS. 3-8. In this example embodiment, computing device 16 functions as a dispersed storage processing agent for computing device 14. In this role, computing device 16 dispersed storage error encodes and decodes data on behalf of computing device 14. With the use of dispersed storage error encoding and decoding, the DSN 10 is tolerant of a significant number of storage unit failures (the number of failures is based on parameters of the dispersed storage error encoding function) without loss of data and without the need for a redundant or backup copies of the data. Further, the DSN 10 stores data for an indefinite period of time without data loss and in a secure manner (e.g., the system is very resistant to unauthorized attempts at accessing the data).

In operation, the managing unit 18 performs DS management services. For example, the managing unit 18 establishes distributed data storage parameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile information, etc.) for computing devices 12-14 individually or as part of a group of user devices. As a specific example, the managing unit 18 coordinates creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block associated with a portion of an overall namespace of the DSN) within the DSN memory 22 for a user device, a group of devices, or for public access and establishes per vault dispersed storage (DS) error encoding parameters for a vault. The managing unit 18 facilitates storage of DS error encoding parameters for each vault by updating registry information of the DSN 10, where the registry information may be stored in the DSN memory 22, a computing device 12-16, the managing unit 18, and/or the integrity processing unit 20.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates and stores user profile information (e.g., an access control list (ACL)) in local memory and/or within memory of the DSN memory 22. The user profile information includes authentication information, permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters may include encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key generation scheme, and/or data encoding/decoding scheme.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates billing information for a particular user, a user group, a vault access, public vault access, etc. For instance, the DSN managing unit 18 tracks the number of times a user accesses a non-public vault and/or public vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access billing information. In another instance, the DSN managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/or retrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used to generate a per-data-amount billing information.

As another example, the managing unit 18 performs network operations, network administration, and/or network maintenance. Network operations includes authenticating user data allocation requests (e.g., read and/or write requests), managing creation of vaults, establishing authentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting components (e.g., user devices, storage units, and/or computing devices with a DS client module 34) to/from the DSN 10, and/or establishing authentication credentials for the storage units 36. Network administration includes monitoring devices and/or units for failures, maintaining vault information, determining device and/or unit activation status, determining device and/or unit loading, and/or determining any other system level operation that affects the performance level of the DSN 10. Network maintenance includes facilitating replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding a device and/or unit of the DSN 10.

The integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding of ‘bad’ or missing encoded data slices. At a high level, the integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding by periodically attempting to retrieve/list encoded data slices, and/or slice names of the encoded data slices, from the DSN memory 22. For retrieved encoded slices, they are checked for errors due to data corruption, outdated version, etc. If a slice includes an error, it is flagged as a ‘bad’ slice. For encoded data slices that were not received and/or not listed, they are flagged as missing slices. Bad and/or missing slices are subsequently rebuilt using other retrieved encoded data slices that are deemed to be good slices to produce rebuilt slices. The rebuilt slices are stored in the DSN memory 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core 26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, main memory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (10) controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58, an 10 interface module 60, at least one 10 device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM) basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interface modules. The one or more memory interface module(s) includes one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash interface module 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN interface module 76.

The DSN interface module 76 functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a block memory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). The DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module 70 may function as one or more of the interface 30-33 of FIG. 1. Note that the IO device interface module 62 and/or the memory interface modules 66-76 may be collectively or individually referred to as IO ports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data. When a computing device 12 or 16 has data to store it disperse storage error encodes the data in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding process based on dispersed storage error encoding parameters. Here, the computing device stores data object 40, which can include a file (e.g., text, video, audio, etc.), or other data arrangement. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters include an encoding function (e.g., information dispersal algorithm, Reed-Solomon, Cauchy Reed-Solomon, systematic encoding, non-systematic encoding, on-line codes, etc.), a data segmenting protocol (e.g., data segment size, fixed, variable, etc.), and per data segment encoding values. The per data segment encoding values include a total, or pillar width, number (T) of encoded data slices per encoding of a data segment i.e., in a set of encoded data slices); a decode threshold number (D) of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices that are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number (R) of encoded data slices to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set to be read from storage for decoding of the data segment; and/or a write threshold number (W) to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set that must be accurately stored before the encoded data segment is deemed to have been properly stored. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters may further include slicing information (e.g., the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each data segment) and/or slice security information (e.g., per encoded data slice encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).

In the present example, Cauchy Reed-Solomon has been selected as the encoding function (a generic example is shown in FIG. 4 and a specific example is shown in FIG. 5); the data segmenting protocol is to divide the data object into fixed sized data segments; and the per data segment encoding values include: a pillar width of 5, a decode threshold of 3, a read threshold of 4, and a write threshold of 4. In accordance with the data segmenting protocol, the computing device 12 or 16 divides data object 40 into a plurality of fixed sized data segments (e.g., 1 through Y of a fixed size in range of Kilo-bytes to Tera-bytes or more). The number of data segments created is dependent of the size of the data and the data segmenting protocol.

The computing device 12 or 16 then disperse storage error encodes a data segment using the selected encoding function (e.g., Cauchy Reed-Solomon) to produce a set of encoded data slices. FIG. 4 illustrates a generic Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding function, which includes an encoding matrix (EM), a data matrix (DM), and a coded matrix (CM). The size of the encoding matrix (EM) is dependent on the pillar width number (T) and the decode threshold number (D) of selected per data segment encoding values. To produce the data matrix (DM), the data segment is divided into a plurality of data blocks and the data blocks are arranged into D number of rows with Z data blocks per row. Note that Z is a function of the number of data blocks created from the data segment and the decode threshold number (D). The coded matrix is produced by matrix multiplying the data matrix by the encoding matrix.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding with a pillar number (T) of five and decode threshold number of three. In this example, a first data segment is divided into twelve data blocks (D1-D12). The coded matrix includes five rows of coded data blocks, where the first row of X11-X14 corresponds to a first encoded data slice (EDS 1_1), the second row of X21-X24 corresponds to a second encoded data slice (EDS 2_1), the third row of X31-X34 corresponds to a third encoded data slice (EDS 3_1), the fourth row of X41-X44 corresponds to a fourth encoded data slice (EDS 4_1), and the fifth row of X51-X54 corresponds to a fifth encoded data slice (EDS 5_1). Note that the second number of the EDS designation corresponds to the data segment number.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the computing device also creates a slice name (SN) for each encoded data slice (EDS) in the set of encoded data slices. A typical format for a slice name 78 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the slice name (SN) 78 includes a pillar number of the encoded data slice (e.g., one of 1-T), a data segment number (e.g., one of 1-Y), a vault identifier (ID), a data object identifier (ID), and may further include revision level information of the encoded data slices. The slice name functions as, at least part of, a DSN address for the encoded data slice for storage and retrieval from the DSN memory 22.

As a result of encoding, the computing device 12 or 16 produces a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, which are provided with their respective slice names to the storage units for storage. As shown, the first set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_1 through EDS 5_1 and the first set of slice names includes SN 1_1 through SN 5_1 and the last set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_Y through EDS 5_Y and the last set of slice names includes SN 1_Y through SN 5_Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of a data object that was dispersed storage error encoded and stored in the example of FIG. 4. In this example, the computing device 12 or 16 retrieves from the storage units at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment. As a specific example, the computing device retrieves a read threshold number of encoded data slices.

To recover a data segment from a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, the computing device uses a decoding function as shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the decoding function is essentially an inverse of the encoding function of FIG. 4. The coded matrix includes a decode threshold number of rows (e.g., three in this example) and the decoding matrix in an inversion of the encoding matrix that includes the corresponding rows of the coded matrix. For example, if the coded matrix includes rows 1, 2, and 4, the encoding matrix is reduced to rows 1, 2, and 4, and then inverted to produce the decoding matrix.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of the distributed computing system performing a distributed storage and task processing operation. The distributed computing system includes a DST (distributed storage and/or task) client module 34 (which may be in user device 14 and/or in DST processing unit 16 of FIG. 1), a network 24, a plurality of DST execution units 101_1 . . . 101_n that includes two or more DST execution units which, for example form at least a portion of DSN memory 22 of FIG. 1, a DST managing module (not shown), and a DST integrity verification module (not shown). The DST client module 34 includes an outbound DST processing section 80 and an inbound DST processing section 82. Each of the DST execution units 1-n includes a controller 86, a processing module 84, memory 88, a DT (distributed task) execution module 90, and a DST client module 34.

In an example of operation, the DST client module 34 receives data 92 and one or more tasks 94 to be performed upon the data 92. The data 92 may be of any size and of any content, where, due to the size (e.g., greater than a few Terra-Bytes), the content (e.g., secure data, etc.), and/or task(s) (e.g., MIPS intensive), distributed processing of the task(s) on the data is desired. For example, the data 92 may be one or more digital books, a copy of a company's emails, a large-scale Internet search, a video security file, one or more entertainment video files (e.g., television programs, movies, etc.), data files, and/or any other large amount of data (e.g., greater than a few Terra-Bytes).

Within the DST client module 34, the outbound DST processing section 80 receives the data 92 and the task(s) 94. The outbound DST processing section 80 processes the data 92 to produce slice groupings 96. As an example of such processing, the outbound DST processing section 80 partitions the data 92 into a plurality of data partitions. For each data partition, the outbound DST processing section 80 dispersed storage (DS) error encodes the data partition to produce encoded data slices and groups the encoded data slices into a slice grouping 96. In addition, the outbound DST processing section 80 partitions the task 94 into partial tasks 98, where the number of partial tasks 98 may correspond to the number of slice groupings 96.

The outbound DST processing section 80 then sends, via the network 24, the slice groupings 96 and the partial tasks 98 to the DST execution units 101_1 . . . 101_n of the DSN memory 22 of FIG. 1. For example, the outbound DST processing section 80 sends slice group 96_1 and partial task 98_1 to DST execution unit 101_1. As another example, the outbound DST processing section 80 sends slice group 96_n and partial task 98_n to DST execution unit 101_n.

Each DST execution unit performs its partial task 98 upon its slice group 96 to produce partial results 102. For example, DST execution unit 101_1 performs partial task 98_1 on slice group 96_1 to produce a partial result 100_1. As a more specific example, slice group 96_1 corresponds to a data partition of a series of digital books and the partial task 98_1 corresponds to searching for specific phrases, recording where the phrase is found, and establishing a phrase count. In this more specific example, the partial result 102_1 includes information as to where the phrase was found and includes the phrase count.

Upon completion of generating their respective partial results 102, the DST execution units 101 send, via the network 24, their partial results 102 to the inbound DST processing section 82 of the DST client module 34. The inbound DST processing section 82 processes the received partial results 102 to produce a result 104. Continuing with the specific example of the preceding paragraph, the inbound DST processing section 82 combines the phrase count from each of the DST execution units 101_1 . . . 101_n to produce a total phrase count. In addition, the inbound DST processing section 82 combines the ‘where the phrase was found’ information from each of the DST execution units 101_1 . . . 101_n within their respective data partitions to produce ‘where the phrase was found’ information for the series of digital books.

In another example of operation, the DST client module 34 requests retrieval of stored data within the memory of the DST execution units 101 (e.g., memory of the DSN/DSTN). In this example, the task 94 is retrieve data stored in the memory of the DSTN. Accordingly, the outbound DST processing section 80 converts the task 94 into a plurality of partial tasks 98 and sends the partial tasks 98 to the respective DST execution units 101.

In response to the partial task 98 of retrieving stored data, a DST execution unit 101 identifies the corresponding encoded data slices 100 and retrieves them. For example, DST execution unit 101_1 receives partial task 98_1 and retrieves, in response thereto, retrieved slices 100_1. The DST execution units 101 send their respective retrieved slices 100 to the inbound DST processing section 82 via the network 24.

The inbound DST processing section 82 converts the retrieved slices 100 into data 92. For example, the inbound DST processing section 82 de-groups the retrieved slices 100 to produce encoded slices per data partition. The inbound DST processing section 82 then DS error decodes the encoded slices per data partition to produce data partitions. The inbound DST processing section 82 de-partitions the data partitions to recapture the data 92.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing section 80 of a DST client module 34 FIG. 1 coupled to a DSTN module 22 of a FIG. 1 (e.g., a plurality of n DST execution units 101) via a network 24. The outbound DST processing section 80 includes a data partitioning module 110, a dispersed storage (DS) error encoding module 112, a grouping selector module 114, a control module 116, and a distributed task control module 118.

In an example of operation, the data partitioning module 110 partitions data 92 into a plurality of data partitions 120. The number of partitions and the size of the partitions may be selected by the control module 116 via control 160 based on the data 92 (e.g., its size, its content, etc.), a corresponding task 94 to be performed (e.g., simple, complex, single step, multiple steps, etc.), DS encoding parameters (e.g., pillar width, decode threshold, write threshold, segment security parameters, slice security parameters, etc.), capabilities of the DST execution units 36 (e.g., processing resources, availability of processing recourses, etc.), and/or as may be inputted by a user, system administrator, or other operator (human or automated). For example, the data partitioning module 110 partitions the data 92 (e.g., 100 Terra-Bytes) into 100,000 data segments, each being 1 Giga-Byte in size. Alternatively, the data partitioning module 110 partitions the data 92 into a plurality of data segments, where some of data segments are of a different size, are of the same size, or a combination thereof.

The DS error encoding module 112 receives the data partitions 120 in a serial manner, a parallel manner, and/or a combination thereof. For each data partition 120, the DS error encoding module 112 DS error encodes the data partition 120 in accordance with control information 160 from the control module 116 to produce encoded data slices 122. The DS error encoding includes segmenting the data partition into data segments, segment security processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC), etc.), error encoding, slicing, and/or per slice security processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC), etc.). The control information 160 indicates which steps of the DS error encoding are active for a given data partition and, for active steps, indicates the parameters for the step. For example, the control information 160 indicates that the error encoding is active and includes error encoding parameters (e.g., pillar width, decode threshold, write threshold, read threshold, type of error encoding, etc.).

The group selecting module 114 groups the encoded slices 122 of a data partition into a set of slice groupings 96. The number of slice groupings corresponds to the number of DST execution units 36 identified for a particular task 94. For example, if five DST execution units 101 are identified for the particular task 94, the group selecting module groups the encoded slices 122 of a data partition into five slice groupings 96. The group selecting module 114 outputs the slice groupings 96 to the corresponding DST execution units 101 via the network 24.

The distributed task control module 118 receives the task 94 and converts the task 94 into a set of partial tasks 98. For example, the distributed task control module 118 receives a task to find where in the data (e.g., a series of books) a phrase occurs and a total count of the phrase usage in the data. In this example, the distributed task control module 118 replicates the task 94 for each DST execution unit 101 to produce the partial tasks 98. In another example, the distributed task control module 118 receives a task to find where in the data a first phrase occurs, wherein in the data a second phrase occurs, and a total count for each phrase usage in the data. In this example, the distributed task control module 118 generates a first set of partial tasks 98 for finding and counting the first phase and a second set of partial tasks for finding and counting the second phrase. The distributed task control module 118 sends respective first and/or second partial tasks 98 to each DST execution unit 101.

FIG. 11 is a logic diagram of an example of a method for outbound distributed storage and task (DST) processing that begins at step 126 where a DST client module receives data and one or more corresponding tasks. The method continues at step 128 where the DST client module determines a number of DST units to support the task for one or more data partitions. For example, the DST client module may determine the number of DST units to support the task based on the size of the data, the requested task, the content of the data, a predetermined number (e.g., user indicated, system administrator determined, etc.), available DST units, capability of the DST units, and/or any other factor regarding distributed task processing of the data. The DST client module may select the same DST units for each data partition, may select different DST units for the data partitions, or a combination thereof.

The method continues at step 130 where the DST client module determines processing parameters of the data based on the number of DST units selected for distributed task processing. The processing parameters include data partitioning information, DS encoding parameters, and/or slice grouping information. The data partitioning information includes a number of data partitions, size of each data partition, and/or organization of the data partitions (e.g., number of data blocks in a partition, the size of the data blocks, and arrangement of the data blocks). The DS encoding parameters include segmenting information, segment security information, error encoding information (e.g., dispersed storage error encoding function parameters including one or more of pillar width, decode threshold, write threshold, read threshold, generator matrix), slicing information, and/or per slice security information. The slice grouping information includes information regarding how to arrange the encoded data slices into groups for the selected DST units. As a specific example, if the DST client module determines that five DST units are needed to support the task, then it determines that the error encoding parameters include a pillar width of five and a decode threshold of three.

The method continues at step 132 where the DST client module determines task partitioning information (e.g., how to partition the tasks) based on the selected DST units and data processing parameters. The data processing parameters include the processing parameters and DST unit capability information. The DST unit capability information includes the number of DT (distributed task) execution units, execution capabilities of each DT execution unit (e.g., MIPS capabilities, processing resources (e.g., quantity and capability of microprocessors, CPUs, digital signal processors, co-processor, microcontrollers, arithmetic logic circuitry, and/or and the other analog and/or digital processing circuitry), availability of the processing resources, memory information (e.g., type, size, availability, etc.)), and/or any information germane to executing one or more tasks.

The method continues at step 134 where the DST client module processes the data in accordance with the processing parameters to produce slice groupings. The method continues at step 136 where the DST client module partitions the task based on the task partitioning information to produce a set of partial tasks. The method continues at step 138 where the DST client module sends the slice groupings and the corresponding partial tasks to respective DST units.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example embodiment of a dispersed storage and task execution unit 101 that includes an interface 169, a computing core 26, a controller 86, at least one memory 88, and one or more memory modules 350. A memory module 350 of the one or more memory modules 350 may include a memory device 352 (e.g., implemented utilizing FLASH memory technology, a random access memory, a read-only memory, a magnetic disk drive, and an optical disk drive), may include one or more distributed task (DT) execution modules 90 (e.g., implemented utilizing at least one of a processing module, and a computing core), and may include one or more DST client module 34. For example, a memory device 352 is implemented by adding a processing core (e.g., to enable a DT execution module) to a FLASH memory. As another example, a memory device 352 is implemented by adding four processing cores to the FLASH memory. Alternatively, or in addition to, the memory device 352 includes one or more distributed storage and task (DST) client modules 34. As yet another example, a memory module 350 is implemented as a disk drive unit that includes one DT execution module 90 and four memory devices 352 (e.g. disk drives). As a still further example, a memory module 350 is implemented as a disk drive unit that includes 100 DT execution modules 90 and 10 memory devices 352 (e.g. disk drives).

The operation of the DST execution unit 101 can be further illustrated in conjunction with the following example. A processing module (e.g. computing core 26 or other processing device of the DST execution unit 101) receives at least one partial task 98_1 . . . 98_n with regards to a group of slices 96_1 . . . 96_n of contiguous data (e.g., from a DST client module 34). The processing module receives slices of the group of slices to produce received slices. When an interim threshold number (e.g., a maximum number of bytes limited by an ingestion cache memory) of received slices has been received, the processing module streams the received slices to a disk drive for storage therein. The streaming may provide a write bandwidth system improvement for the group of slices (e.g., as the group of slices pertain to the contiguous data).

The processing module determines whether to execute a partial task. The determining may be based on one or more of comparing an amount of data received to a data threshold, a partial task type, task execution resource availability, and a task schedule. For example, the processing module determines to execute the partial task when data of the received slices can be processed in accordance with a partial task. When the processing module determines not to execute the partial task, the processing module determines whether more slices are expected. The determining may be based on one or more of a contiguous data size indicator, a query, a lookup, and a number of bytes received so far. The processing module repeats back to receive slices of the group of slices to produce received slices, when the processing module determines that there are more slices. When either the processing module determines that there are no more slices, or determines to execute a partial task, the processing module determines execution steps and schedule. The determining may be based on one or more of the at least one partial task, the data, a previous task schedule, a schedule template, a task execution resource availability level, and a task execution requirement. The processing module identifies a portion of the contiguous data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps. The identifying includes matching the portion of the contiguous data to the one or more steps of execution steps based on one or more of a data type indicator associated with the portion, a data type associated with one or more steps, and a data available indicator.

The processing module retrieves the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive as a data stream. The retrieving includes accessing the disk drive for multiple contiguous data bytes. The streaming may provide a read bandwidth system improvement for the portion of data. The processing module executes the steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the contiguous data to produce a partial result. For example, the processing module executes a search partial task on the portion to produce a search partial result.

The processing module dispersed storage error encodes the partial results to produce a plurality of sets of slices in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the at least one partial task. The processing module facilitates storing a plurality of sets of slices in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN). For example, the processing module sends groups of slices to a DST EX unit, where the slices are of a common pillar number when a storage method indicates dispersed storage. As another example, the processing module sends groups of slices to a DST EX unit, where the slices are of two or more pillar number when a storage method indicates distributed task storage to enable subsequent task execution on the partial result. In addition, the processing module may receive more slices for more execution steps.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of storing and processing a group of slices. The method begins at step 354 where a processing module (e.g., of a distributed task (DT) execution module of a distributed storage and task execution (DST EX) unit embedded within a disk drive unit) receives at least one partial task with regards to a group of slices of contiguous data (e.g., from a DST client module). The method continues at step 356 where the processing module receives slices of the group of slices to produce received slices. The method continues at step 358 where, when an interim threshold number (e.g., a maximum number of bytes limited by an ingestion cache memory) of received slices has been received, the processing module streams the received slices to a disk drive for storage therein. The streaming may provide a write bandwidth system improvement for the group of slices (e.g., as the group of slices pertain to the contiguous data).

The method continues at step 360 where the processing module determines whether to execute a partial task. The determining may be based on one or more of comparing an amount of data received to a data threshold, a partial task type, task execution resource availability, and a task schedule. For example, the processing module determines to execute the partial task when data of the received slices can be processed in accordance with a partial task. The method branches to step 364 when the processing module determines to execute the partial task. The method continues to step 362 when the processing module determines not to execute the partial task.

The method continues at step 362 where the processing module determines whether more slices are expected. The determining may be based on one or more of a contiguous data size indicator, a query, a lookup, and a number of bytes received so far. The method repeats back to step 356 when the processing module determines that there are more slices. The method continues to step 364 when the processing module determines that there are no more slices.

The method continues at step 364 where the processing module determines execution steps and schedule. The determining may be based on one or more of the at least one partial task, the data, a previous task schedule, a schedule template, a task execution resource availability level, and a task execution requirement. The method continues at step 366 where the processing module identifies a portion of the contiguous data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps. The identifying includes matching the portion of the contiguous data to the one or more steps of execution steps based on one or more of a data type indicator associated with the portion, a data type associated with one or more steps, and a data available indicator.

The method continues at step 368 where the processing module retrieves the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive as a data stream. The retrieving includes accessing the disk drive for multiple contiguous data bytes. The streaming may provide a read bandwidth system improvement for the portion of data. The method continues at step 370 where the processing module executes the steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the contiguous data to produce a partial result. For example, the processing module executes a search partial task on the portion to produce a search partial result.

The method continues at step 372 where the processing module dispersed storage error encodes the partial results to produce a plurality of sets of slices in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the at least one partial task. The method continues at step 374 where the processing module facilitates storing a plurality of sets of slices in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN). For example, the processing module sends groups of slices to a DST EX unit, where the slices are of a common pillar number when a storage method indicates dispersed storage. As another example, the processing module sends groups of slices to a DST EX unit, where the slices are of two or more pillar number when a storage method indicates distributed task storage to enable subsequent task execution on the partial result. In addition, the processing module may receive more slices for more execution steps.

In various embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes a processor and a memory, causes the processing system to perform operations including: receiving a partial task with regards to a group of slices of contiguous data; receiving slices of the group of slices to produce received slices; determining when a threshold number of the received slices has been received; when the threshold number of the received slices has been received, streaming the received slices to a disk drive for storage; determining whether or not to execute the partial task; when determined to execute the partial task: determining execution steps and a schedule; identifying a portion of the contiguous data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps; retrieving the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive; executing the one or more steps of the execution steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the contiguous data to produce a partial result; dispersed storage error encoding the partial result to produce a plurality of sets of slices in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the partial task; and facilitating storing a plurality of sets of slices in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN).

In various embodiments, the threshold number corresponds to a maximum number of bytes limited by an ingestion cache memory. Determining whether or not to execute the partial task can be based on one or more of: comparing an amount of data in the received slices to a data threshold, a partial task type corresponding to the partial task, a task execution resource availability or a task schedule and/or can include determining to execute the partial task when data of the received slices can be processed in accordance with the partial task. Retrieving the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive can include receiving a data stream from the disk drive that contains the portion of the contiguous data.

In various embodiments, the method further includes, when the determined not to execute the partial task: determining whether or not more slices of the group of slices are expected; and when more slices are expected, receiving the more slices of the group of slices to produce more received slices. Determining whether or not more slices of the group of slices are expected can be based on one or more of: a contiguous data size indicator, a query, a lookup, or a number of bytes in the received slices.

In various embodiments, determining the execution steps and the schedule can be based on one or more of: the partial task, the contiguous data, a previous task schedule, a schedule template, a task execution resource availability level or a task execution requirement. Identifying the portion of the contiguous data can include matching the portion of the contiguous data to the one or more steps of execution steps based on one or more of: a data type indicator associated with the portion, a data type associated with one or more steps or a data available indicator. Retrieving the portion of the contiguous data from the disk drive can include accessing the disk drive for multiple contiguous data bytes of the portion of the contiguous data. Facilitating the storing of the plurality of sets of slices can includes storing of the plurality of sets of slices with a common pillar number or with two or more pillar numbers.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream, stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been used interchangeably to describe digital information whose content corresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video, speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processing circuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of the embodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device such as a processor or other processing device or other hardware that may include or operate in association with a memory that stores operational instructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes one or more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memory device, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within a memory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. The memory device may be in a form a solid state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive, server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium for storing digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for execution by a processing system of a dispersed storage and task (DST) execution unit that includes a processor, the method comprises: receiving a partial task with regards to a group of slices of data; receiving slices of the group of slices to produce received slices; determining when a threshold number of the received slices has been received; when the threshold number of the received slices has been received, sending the received slices to a disk drive for storage; determining whether or not to execute the partial task; when determined to execute the partial task: determining execution steps and a schedule; identifying a portion of the data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps; retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive; executing the one or more steps of the execution steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the data to produce a partial result; and dispersed storage error encoding the partial result to produce a plurality of sets of slices stored in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN) in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the partial task.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold number corresponds to a maximum number of bytes limited by an ingestion cache memory.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether or not to execute the partial task is based on one or more of: comparing an amount of data in the received slices to a data threshold, a partial task type corresponding to the partial task, a task execution resource availability or a task schedule.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether or not to execute the partial includes determining to execute the partial task when data of the received slices can be processed in accordance with the partial task.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive includes receiving a data stream from the disk drive that contains the portion of the data.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when the determined not to execute the partial task: determining whether or not more slices of the group of slices are expected; when more slices are expected, receiving the more slices of the group of slices to produce more received slices.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether or not more slices of the group of slices are expected is based on one or more of: a data size indicator, a query, a lookup, or a number of bytes in the received slices.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the execution steps and the schedule is based on one or more of: the partial task, the data, a previous task schedule, a schedule template, a task execution resource availability level or a task execution requirement.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the portion of the data includes matching the portion of the data to the one or more steps of execution steps based on one or more of: a data type indicator associated with the portion, a data type associated with one or more steps or a data available indicator.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive includes accessing the disk drive for multiple data bytes of the portion of the data.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the storing of the plurality of sets of slices includes storing of the plurality of sets of slices with a common pillar number.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the storing of the plurality of sets of slices includes storing of the plurality of sets of slices with two or more pillar numbers.
 13. A processing system of a dispersed storage and task (DST) execution unit comprises: at least one processor; a memory that stores operational instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor cause the processing system to perform operations including: receiving a partial task with regards to a group of slices of data; receiving slices of the group of slices to produce received slices; determining when a threshold number of the received slices has been received; when the threshold number of the received slices has been received, sending the received slices to a disk drive for storage; determining whether or not to execute the partial task; when determined to execute the partial task: determining execution steps and a schedule; identifying a portion of the data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps; retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive; executing the one or more steps of the execution steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the data to produce a partial result; and dispersed storage error encoding the partial result to produce a plurality of sets of slices stored in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN) in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the partial task.
 14. The processing system of claim 13, wherein the threshold number corresponds to a maximum number of bytes limited by an ingestion cache memory.
 15. The processing system of claim 13, wherein determining whether or not to execute the partial task is based on one or more of: comparing an amount of data in the received slices to a data threshold, a partial task type corresponding to the partial task, a task execution resource availability or a task schedule.
 16. The processing system of claim 13, wherein determining whether or not to execute the partial includes determining to execute the partial task when data of the received slices can be processed in accordance with the partial task.
 17. The processing system of claim 13, wherein retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive includes receiving a data stream from the disk drive that contains the portion of the data.
 18. The processing system of claim 13, further comprising: when the determined not to execute the partial task: determining whether or not more slices of the group of slices are expected; when more slices are expected, receiving the more slices of the group of slices to produce more received slices.
 19. The processing system of claim 13, wherein determining the execution steps and the schedule is based on one or more of: the partial task, the data, a previous task schedule, a schedule template, a task execution resource availability level or a task execution requirement.
 20. A computer readable storage medium comprises: at least one memory section including hardware that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes a processor and a memory, causes the processing system to perform operations including: receiving a partial task with regards to a group of slices of data; receiving slices of the group of slices to produce received slices; determining when a threshold number of the received slices has been received; when the threshold number of the received slices has been received, sending the received slices to a disk drive for storage; determining whether or not to execute the partial task; when determined to execute the partial task: determining execution steps and a schedule; identifying a portion of the data for execution of one or more steps of the execution steps; retrieving the portion of the data from the disk drive; executing the one or more steps of the execution steps in accordance with the schedule on the portion of the data to produce a partial result; and dispersed storage error encoding the partial result to produce a plurality of sets of slices stored in a dispersed storage and task network (DSTN) in accordance with dispersal parameters associated with one or more of the group of slices and the partial task. 